Medical Marijuana Helping Many Minnesotans with PTSD

Veterans and others with PTSD are finding that medical marijuana does more than ease their pain; it’s providing mental relief too. Several of the state’s PTSD enrolled patients have been using medical marijuana for chronic pain and other approved conditions. The added benefit is that medical marijuana helps tame anxiety and PTSD.

Leafline Labs is working with Erdos and others with PTSD to relieve their symptoms, according to SC Times. For veteran Ed Erdos, his weekly prescription has helped improve his quality of life and has returned his ability to function. Enrollment for PTSD began on July 1.

Erdos said, “It works.”

At the end of the first week of PTSD registration, one patient was approved. Newly approved PTSD patients will be permitted to make purchases from dispensaries beginning in August.

For patients already approved for other conditions, they can find medicine at dispensaries that will also treat their PTSD and not have to wait until August to start obtaining medicine.

Erdos also said, “The best part of PTSD treatment with medical cannabis is, it allows you to slow down. You don’t experience the anxiety attacks. It allows you to think. It allows you to face some of those triggers that many PTSD victims are afraid to face.”

Erdos wants to see others like him, including veterans, think about medical marijuana as an option. He hopes that sharing his story will help other see that medical marijuana can help PTSD with success.

Larry Shellito of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs said, “While some veterans use marijuana to relieve symptoms of PTSD, we believe more research is needed to fully determine the safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis for PTSD.”

Shellito also said, “MVDA is committed to treating veterans with PTSD. At this time, we will continue to dialogue with our federal VA partners on this issue. However, there are no plans to move forward with this until more clinical research is available.”